Chiellini: 'I can't believe we lost'

Giorgio Chiellini was flabbergasted by Italy's defeat to Ireland. “All due respect, it irritates me to lose against them.”

The Azzurri fell 2-0 in an international friendly hosted by the Belgian city of Liege.

“It's a shame. Ireland did pretty much nothing throughout and scored on a set play and on the counter,” moaned the Juventus defender.

“I still can't understand how we managed to lose 2-0 after that performance from both sides.

“With a little more grit and determination, what we had on Friday against Estonia, it would've ended a very different way.

“All due respect to Ireland, but they haven't got much quality in this side and it irritates me to have lost against them.”

Not only did Italy lose the game, but they also struggled to create scoring opportunities.

“We got to the by-line many times, but unfortunately were unable to find the space for the striker to get his shot. If we count the number of crosses, there were plenty of them, but we couldn't connect in the box.

“There were few shots, but Ireland did even less than we did. We were in control all over the field except for the final third. Unfortunately, that goal from a set piece was the only way they were going to score, as they only punted long balls up the pitch. That goal changed everything.

“This match was a bolt from the blue. We've got to be more careful in friendlies, as we hadn't conceded a goal in 379 minutes of football.

“Sometimes it can be unconscious, but you could really tell we didn't have the belief or determination we needed in the final match of the season.

“We're already looking ahead to the test with Spain, which really will not feel like a friendly, but we hoped to end this campaign on a lighter note.”